Turbocharger operating system and method for an internal combustion engine

摘要

A method of operating a turbocharger apparatus on an internal combustion engine, having a first oil circuit and a second oil circuit, includes steps of sensing a plurality of engine operating parameters via a plurality of sensors associated with the internal combustion engine; providing oil to the engine from the first oil circuit at a first pressure level; controlling operation of the second oil circuit for said engine via an electronic control unit, based on the sensed engine operating parameters; and applying a variable hydraulic preload to said first and second bearing assemblies via the operation of the second oil circuit, wherein oil from the second oil circuit is provided at a second pressure level which is different from the first pressure level. A system usable for carrying out such method is also described.

主权项

1. A turbocharger system comprising:
an electronic control unit; a turbocharger apparatus; a first oil circuit operable to provide oil to an internal cavity of the turbocharger apparatus at a first pressure level; a second oil circuit which is operable to provide oil to the turbocharger apparatus at a second pressure level which is different from the first pressure level, wherein the first and second oil circuits are sufficiently separated from one another so as to maintain separate and independent hydraulic pressures therein, such that they may be operated at different pressures from one another; wherein operation of at least one of the first and second oil circuits is controlled by the electronic control unit; and wherein said turbocharger apparatus, comprises: a center housing having a hollow central bore formed therethrough and having first, second and third oil routing channels formed therein, wherein the first and second oil routing channels are in fluid communication with the second oil circuit; a first cylindrical sleeve which fits inside of the center housing, the first cylindrical sleeve having a first end with a first seat formed therein and a second end with a second seat formed therein, and a central portion disposed between the first and second ends; a first disc member which fits into the first seat, the first disc member having a first fluid supply passage formed therethrough which communicates with the first oil routing channel of the center housing, the first fluid passage configured and arranged to receive oil from the second oil circuit; a first bearing assembly which fits into the first seat adjacent the first disc member, the first bearing assembly receiving oil from the first fluid supply passage; a second disc member which fits into the second seat, the second disc member having a second fluid supply passage formed therethrough which communicates with the second oil routing channel of the center housing, the second fluid supply passage also configured and arranged to receive oil from the second oil circuit; a second bearing assembly which fits into the second seat adjacent the second disc member, the second bearing assembly receiving oil from the second fluid supply passage; a second cylindrical sleeve which fits coaxially inside of the first cylindrical sleeve, wherein the first and second disc members receive respective ends of the second cylindrical sleeve therein; and a turbine member comprising a shaft portion which extends through the central bore of the center housing and through the second cylindrical sleeve, an intake turbine attached to a first end of the shaft portion, and an exhaust turbine attached to a second end of the shaft portion; wherein at least one of the first and second oil circuits is operable by the electronic control unit to apply a selectively variable hydraulic preload to the first and second bearing assemblies.